Neither the FDP nor AfD managed to cross the 5% hurdle, providing the paradoxical result that whilst the electorate shifted rightwards, the Bundestag shifts leftwards, with the CDU-CSU remaining the only non-left parties in it.

If the SPD had any political acumen, it would reject Merkel's overtures for a grand coalition and instead create a left-wing government with the Greens and Die Linke. That would certainly be a surprise - but it would probably be better for the SPD, for Germany and for Europe.